Desk for automatic writing boards



Sept. 20, 1938. E J GERETY I 2,130,490

DESK FOR AUTOMATIC WRITING BOARDS Filed June 4, 1935 2 Sheets-Shget 1 2 INVENTOR. BY l 2 ATTORNEY.

P 1938. E. J. GER ETY DESK FOR AUTOMATIC WRITING BOARDS Filed June 4, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 .3 v 1 VENTOR.

24)? ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 20, 1938 PATENT OFFICE DESK FOR AUTOMATIC WRITING BOARDS Edward J. Gerety, Bronx, N. Y., assignor to The McBee Company, Athens, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 4,

1 Claim.

My invention relates to that class of Writing boards which are described in my Patent No. 2,011,625, dated August 20, 1935.

As is well known to users of these writing boards there are a number of diiferent master sheets required in the recording of a days transactions. As a consequence it is usual to provide two or three desks on which the different writing boards are located. This necessitates the bookkeeper walking back and forth from these desks.

The object of my invention is to provide a desk which is constructed so as to receive a plurality of boards so that the bookkeeper having finished with one master sheet can conveniently dispose of it in a compartment provided for it in the desk and bring out another for use without hav ing to leave his chair. In this way I am able to save a considerable amount of labor.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing Objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a desk equipped with the mechanism for shifting the entry strip, the platen being detachably secured to the mechanism so that a single mechanism serves for a number of master sheets;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the platens;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View showing the means for preventing the accidental withdrawal of the platen;

Fig. 4. is a vertical sectional view showing the platens in their various compartments;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged detailed views of the stop mechanism and hinge for the platen;

Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views of means for holding the master sheet on the platen;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line ill-l0 in Fig. 8 showing a preferable form of clamp.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, the desk I is provided with a plurality of compartments 2 which are adapted to receive the platens 3 which are similar to the ones described in my copending application above referred to. Mounted on one side of the platen 3 is the operating mechanism 4 for spacing the entry strip 5. The operative mechanism is provided with a gear box 6. Inasmuch as this mechanism, gear box, and contents are fully described in the application above referred to I shall not repeat the description.

The platen 3 may be detachably secured to the 1935, Serial No. 24,797

operative mechanism 4 in any Suitable or desired manner (not shown). The platens are provided with studs I to hold a master sheet 8 in alinement. In order to prevent the master sheet from falling off of the platen when it is placed in one of the compartments 2 I provide a plurality of clamps 9 which are formed of spring metal sufiiciently resilient to hold the master sheet 8 firmly against the platen 3. These clamps may be formed in sections as shown in Fig. 9 or they may be formed continuous from a strip as shown in Fig. 8, as desired. They are preferably provided with an upwardly extending lip II] as best shown in Fig. 10 for convenience in raisingthem to slip the master sheet underneath the clamp 9. By releasing the lip the resilience of the metal will cause it to clamp the master sheet 8 firmly on the platen. My means of preventing the platen from jumping out of the compartments 2 when they are being drawn out of the compartments for use is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 to 7. As shown, plates ll, having laterally extending lugs I2, are hinged as at 3 to the bottom edge of the platen 3. A plate is provided at each side of said bottom edge. The lugs l2 of the plates ll each engage a stop M to prevent entire withdrawal of the platens. As the stops [4 overlap the side edges of the platens, the plates may be positioned between the edges of the platens, thus eliminating the necessity o projecting ears or extensions.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the bookkeeper has finished his work on the master sheet as shown in Fig. 1, he moves the entry strip 5 out of the way, swings the board up on its hinges until it is in line with the compartment designed to receive it and lowers it therein. He then withdraws the next adjacent platen 3' and places it on the top of the desk where it is ready to be used.

Obviously the same operation may be repeated for as many boards as the master sheets require.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- A bookkeeping desk having a flat top, a plurality of compartments opening through said top, master sheet holding platens normally stored therein, plates hinged at one side of the bottom edge of each of the platens, and stops arranged at the upper end of the compartments over-lapping the side edges of the platens engageable by the plates to prevent complete withdrawal of the platens from the compartments.

EDWARD J. GERETY. 

